Sunshine suicides

Following a week that saw an Indian executive and a cleaner jump to their deaths in Dubai and an Indian labourer hang himself in his room in the emirate of Sharjah, the Indian Consulate has released figures showing that an Indian commits suicide in the UAE every three days. In recent years, at least 70 per centof the suicide cases reported in Dubai have been Indian expatriates.

With the high profile of this week’s suicides gaining extensive coverage in the press – one jumped from the 147th floor of the Burj Khalifa and landed on the public observation deck while another jumped from a popular residential tower – you’d be forgiven for thinking suicide was becoming endemic here.

The figures, however, tell a different story. In recent years, suicides in Dubai have declined from 148 in 2008 to 94 in 2010. What has changed, according to Dubai Police, is the educational and professional profile of the suicide cases and the method used. In the past, most suicides here have been attempted by desperate labourers and housemaids who hung themselves or jumped from balconies; recent years have seen a rise in the number of executives jumping from high-rise buildings.

You’d have to be sure of succeeding if you tried to commit suicide in the UAE because to take your own life is not only anti-Islamic but illegal, with UAE lawallowing for a fine of up to Dhs 5,000 (£862) and a jail term of up to six months. Brigadier Abdullah Mubarak Al Dukhan, Deputy Director of Sharjah Police told Gulf Newsthis week that those who try to take their own life but don’t succeed are likely to be prosecuted, and, if expatriate, deported, adding credibility to the stories we’ve all heard about people who’ve unsuccessfully attempted suicide only to wake up handcuffed to their hospital bed awaiting trial.

But why are so many Indians suicidal? For a start, let’s not forget that Indians make up the vast majority of the population here and the high proportion of Indian suicides does reflect that to some extent. Culturally, the focus on family is strong – the majority of Indian workers are in the UAE to secure future wealth for their families and they put themselves under an enormous amount of stress to do so.

A recent study by UAE University found that 95 per cent of workers who’ve considered suicide here earned less than Dhs 1,000 (£172) a month, worked more than eight hours a day and also suffered from a physical illness. Workers in this income bracket are often recruited by agencies that demand high fees upfront. While family back home has high expectations of a Gulf salary, the worker in the UAE finds he can’t save anything as he struggles to pay back the agency fees. Perhaps his salary doesn’t even materialise.

Dubai Police say financial problemsaccounted for 60 per cent of the 477 suicides seen in the emirate over the past four years, while emotional problems including depression were blamed for 30 per cent. Sanjay Verma, Consul General of India told Emirates 24/7 that the majority of those taking their lives are still blue-collar workers, who do it because of financial stress or personal issues.

In November 2010 a helplinefor blue-collar workers was launched. 800-INDIA (800-46342) offers psychological and legal assistance 24 hours a day.